Padres at Braves
One of the key elements of the Atlanta Braves' rise to the top of the National League East is the strength of their starting pitching, and they hope Julio Teheran can continue the rotation’s good work at home entering the finale of a four-game series Sunday against the San Diego Padres. The Braves beat San Diego for the second time in three games Saturday 1-0 as Sean Newcomb spun six scoreless innings, helping Atlanta extend its division lead to 2 1/2 games.
In its past 10 home games, Atlanta starters have posted a 1.09 ERA with eight earned runs allowed in 66 innings pitched with 10 walks, while first baseman Freddie Freeman continues to mash opposing pitchers – extending his hitting streak to 10 games while collecting a hit in 26 of his past 27 games. The Padres were held to four hits, the 11th time this season San Diego has been limited to four hits or fewer in a game. The San Diego bullpen continued its great work Saturday with a scoreless frame and has allowed just four earned runs in its past 26 innings. Catcher A.J. Ellis finished 1-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to five games and has reached base in 20 of his past 21 games.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, FS South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Matt Strahm (1-2, 2.55 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (4-4, 4.31)
San Diego used a bullpen game to knock off the Braves 3-1 on June 6, as five relievers limited the Braves to four hits with 13 strikeouts. The North Dakota native gets the nod again after striking out four while firing three perfect innings in a start Tuesday against St. Louis, and he gave up one run on two hits in another turn against the Braves last week. The Padres' bullpen has allowed only one run on two hits in six innings so far in the series, as Jose Castillo - who got the win against Atlanta in San Diego - struck out three in two scoreless innings Friday.
Teheran comes off the disabled list to start the series finale after missing one turn through the rotation with a right thumb contusion. The 27-year-old has battled inconsistent fastball velocity through his 13 starts of 2018, allowing four or more earned runs five times but holding opponents to two earned runs or fewer on six occasions. Teheran, who is third in the NL with 14 homers allowed, surrendered four runs in a loss at San Diego on June 4, leaving with the thumb injury after four innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves LF Charlie Culberson finished with two hits, including a solo homer for the game’s only run Saturday.
2. San Diego 1B Eric Hosmer, who was hitting .303 with two homers in his previous eight games, finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday.
3. Atlanta placed RHP Mike Foltynewicz on the disabled list Saturday with right triceps tightness, but the team is optimistic he will miss just one start.